Connect with TRB

ECONOMY OF HIGHWAY MEDIAN BARRIERS

The criteria determining the choice of median barrier systems are set forth, and the results are given of a questionnaire survey requesting information regarding average installation costs per foot, annual maintenance costs per collision, and estimated costs of vehicle damage per collision. The results reveal that barrier installation costs are highly variable and are dependent upon site and local conditions, and the magnitude of the installation. A model is described for the prediction of maintenance costs due to collisions in a one-mile length over a period of one calendar year. Predicted annual costs are shown for a typical metal W-beam strong-post, W-beam weak-post and box-beam installations. An analysis was also conducted to establish general trends which were independent of barrier configuration.